Women ready Cosmos for 'Sex and the City' release

Tuesday

Get out your Manolos and grab your BFF as those ‘Sex and the City’ fashionistas return

So high is the anticipation for Friday’s release of “Sex and the City” that one of Stephanie Atkinson’s friends sent out a formal e-vite to a group of gal pals to save the date.

The plan is to watch the movie from the Lux Level at the Showcase Cinemas in Randolph, where the girls can drink cosmopolitans, Manhattans and nibble on appetizers. It’s the way Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha would want it.

Atkinson, 26, of Dorchester, said she’s not as rabid a fan of the show as her friends, whom she called “sickos.” “One of them got goose bumps just watching the trailer,” she said.

Nonetheless, Atkinson looks forward to the film’s release more for a night out with her friends than to see if Carrie marries Mr. Big or if Miranda’s and Steve’s marriage survives or if Charlotte has a baby – all burning topics of discussion since the show went dark four years ago.

Even though time has passed and the slumping economy translates to fewer pairs of Manolo Blahniks, Christian Louboutins or Jimmy Choos, local women agree “Sex and the City” remains relevant and realistic.

“Every girl can relate to them,” said Cassandra Campbell, 34, of Hyde Park. “The show presents all sorts of situations a woman could be in.”

Situations like Carrie’s string of failed relationships or Charlotte’s impotent husband or Miranda’s struggle as a full-time working mother or Samantha’s promiscuity, all ring true for many women.

“The show does engage in relatively complex issues that resonate with young women today,” said Barbara Gottfried, professor of women’s studies at Boston University.

It also tackles universal themes like loyalty and friendship.

“No matter how much they are dumped on, these four women always have each other to turn to,” Gottfried said.

Just ask Mr. Big who said about Carrie’s friends in the first part of the series’ finale: “You’re the loves of her life and a guy’s just lucky to come in fourth.”

Our gals also went to therapy, fought breast cancer, dated younger men, dated older men and experienced an unplanned pregnancy.

“The four characters make one person. The stuff they deal with is stuff we all deal with,” said Atkinson.

Campbell, who was quick to say she’s most like Samantha, told her co-worker, Danielle Stanford, at the women’s gym Fitness Unlimited in Milton, that she hopes Carrie doesn’t marry Mr. Big.

“I don’t see them as forever. I liked Aidan. He was sweet,” Campbell said.

“Yeah, but Carrie doesn’t deserve Aidan because she cheated on him,” said Stanford, 23, of Quincy.

Campbell admits her animosity toward Mr. Big could stem from her own Mr. Big – an ex who wouldn’t commit.

“Yeah, that’s why I hate him,” Campbell said. “I don’t like Carrie with Big. He’s a player and he’s wrong for her.”

Stanford, a self-described Charlotte, said anticipation is high with her girlfriends, too. For the series finale, Stanford said they all got together for a dinner party and did what many others did: drank the show’s signature cocktails, Cosmos and Manhattans.

Fantasy and escapism also play into the show’s enduring appeal. They wear great clothes, live in New York City, have fabulous jobs and a lush social life. “It shows four women who live incredibly charmed lives. The world is their oyster. Parts of it are not based on reality. How much does Carrie make as a freelance writer to be able to afford Manolos?” Gottfried said.

Gottfried, nonetheless, is a fan. And, at age 55, she admits she’s not the target audience. “But I’ve seen every episode – at least twice, and I’ll go see the movie, too.”

For Campbell, the mother of two boys with another one due in September, going to see “Sex and the City” is a night to just be a girl. “This movie better be good. I’m so excited for it,” she said clapping her hands. “I love Samantha. She’s a hot, sexy mess.”

On its most basic level, Gottfriend said “Sex and the City” “is a very clever show and the men are dreamy.”

What more could a girl ask for?

The Patriot Ledger

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